Interim Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan will not allow the Garda band to play at her predecessor’s retirement bash, it has emerged.

Up to 300 people are expected at tonight’s party for Martin Callinan, who resigned under intense Government pressure, in Lucan, Dublin.

But the force’s official band will not be making an appearance at the function in Westmanstown Garda Club.

A Garda source said: “The band – not the entire set-up but four or five – were due to play at the retirement function of the Commissioner.

“Nobody will now play at the party because the Interim Commissioner does not think it is appropriate.

“This hasn’t gone down well with members of the force who believe Callinan was forced out of his job and should be given a proper send off.

“He was in the force for 40 years. He deserves a worthy goodbye.”

The force’s band provides music for official Garda functions such as graduations at the Garda College.

A Garda source said the ex-top cop should be entitled to the same treatment as any other commissioner.

But Ms O’Sullivan is believed to have blocked the appearance because of the circumstances of Mr Callinan’s departure.

Caught in the middle of scandals involving penalty points and the taping of calls to and from Garda stations, he left his job after a top public servant was sent to his home the night before he retired.

He was also under fire for describing the behaviour of Garda whistleblowers as disgusting, although later apologised.

The Taoiseach admitted Brian Purcell, the secretary general of the Department of Justice, was dispatched to Mr Callinan’s house in late March.

It is believed the former Garda Commissioner was told the Government was in panic mode and they could not get through a Cabinet meeting with him still at the helm.

This paper revealed how there was a follow-up phone call made to Mr Callinan on Tuesday morning before he confirmed his resignation.

Speaking to this paper, Tanaiste Joan Burton said she had no reason to doubt Mr Kenny’s version of events.

Her Cabinet colleague Alex White had written a letter to Labour supporters confirming he thought the Taoiseach had sacked the former top cop.